Passion for Writing

iBe SHEgat, iBegat Books, iBegat Buddies, iBegat HOME, iBegat U

People milled about the room, almost everyone looking like they’d stepped out of a book. Actually, they had. I guessed that people costumes were dressed as a character from their book. Now why hadn’t I worn my costume? Ah well, at least I wasn’t the only one in normal clothes. Even though I wasn’t feeling like I was completely part of the crowd, I was ecstatic to be there at the One Year Adventure Novel summer workshop.

The One Year Adventure Novel (OYAN) workshop was absolutely the most awesome thing I experienced summer 2011. OYAN students are very excited about writing and really fall in love with their characters. That first day at the camp was an exciting way to start with all the people dressed up, talking, laughing, and having fun before the classes even started!

I made several new friends and learned more skills about writing. I’m now better prepared to go out and write good stories and I know whom I want to write for and why.

One of the biggest things that hit me at camp though, was that most of the speakers mentioned the need for more teen Christian fiction. They talked about how most of teen fiction nowadays has fallen far away from God. Most teen fiction is now full of violence and darkness.

After I listened to the speakers, I was so ready to go out and write! I wanted to write something amazing, be published right away, and change lives in the world. I realized that my calling from God is to write for teens; to write stories with God-inspired themes. I realized the amazing gift of story that God has given me.

Story is an amazing way to get our point across. There’s an example of this in the Old Testament of the Bible. After David took Bathsheba as his wife and sent Uriah out to die, Nathan came to David. He didn’t blatantly tell David what he’d done wrong. Instead, Nathan told David an allegorical story about the rich man who took the poor man’s lamb. The story made an impression on David and revealed his sin more clearly than a blatant reprimand would have.

Story has the ability to change lives. Teens need changed lives. They need to hear of the Good News and of Jesus. But, most fiction for teens has become dark and depressing.

God has given me a passion for writing, for story, for fiction, for Him. I want to use the gifts he’s given me in my writing to serve Him.

The camp in itself was not the best part of my summer; consolidating the fact that I’m a writer for God and cultivating my passion for writing were the discoveries that made my summer awesome!

I’m trusting God to use me in the ways He wants. He’s put writing on my heart and I’m going to use it to glorify Him.

Danielle Dodge is thirteen years old. Her top favorite activities are reading and writing although she does enjoy riding horses, ballet, and playing the violin. She’s placed in three contests and written two novellas.

Love Never Gives Up

iBe SHEgat, iBegat the Begotten, iBegat U

“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always “me first”, doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.” (1 Corinthian 13: 4-8 The Message)

Sara Bareilles, a popular singer, describes being controlled by a guy in her song Gravity: “You hold me without touch, You keep me without chains.”

When I was a senior in high school, I met a charming and funny guy who I fell head over heels in “love” with. Looking back, I have realized how unhealthy that relationship was for me. I was verbally abused, called names, and controlled for a year of my life by someone who never deserved me in the first place.

When I moved away for college, I was enlightened by 1 Corinthian 13, where God describes to us a love that is so amazing that it never fails, never gets angry, always trusts, and always perseveres. I realized that the relationship I was in wasn’t any of those things and it definitely wasn’t a Godly relationship. I broke the relationship off and by doing so I regained my self-confidence and became a girl who wasn’t going to let people push her around, especially silly boys.

It can be hard to get out of abusive and unhealthy relationships, but you must always remember that you are the most important person in the situation. If you are in a relationship that is bad for you, think about yourself and your future. Never let a guy hold you back from being everything you can be. Search for the type of love that God describes in 1 Corinthian 13 and never settle for less than you deserve.

McKenna Watts is originally from Hueytown, Alabama, but currently resides in Livingston, Alabama where she attends the University of West Alabama. McKenna works for a daycare at a Methodist church where she teaches a three-year-old daycare class. McKenna is majoring in elementary education and wants to teach kindergarten after she graduates. McKenna began writing at an early age and is now a staff member with the Southern Christian Writers Conference based out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama that her family has run and operated for the past 20 years.

Graduation: A Bittersweet Time

iBe SHEgat, iBegat U

“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NAB)

I had waited impatiently for my high school graduation since freshman year. As the day drew near, my excitement mounted. I was insanely excited to be done with high school. I was happy to end, what I considered, the worst four years of my life. I was delighted to be able to move on to better things. I was ready to make my escape, ready to be free.

When the actual day arrived, however, I was greatly saddened. Suddenly, I was faced with the reality of the situation: that I would probably never see my classmates again. This filled me with unexpected grief. I had shared four years of my life with these people. We had had remarkable experiences, gone on crazy adventures, and made a life time of memories together. Indeed, my classmates had helped shape me into the person I am today. I had shared the last four years of my life with them. How was I supposed to just walk away and never see them again? Faced with so many goodbyes all at once, my excitement dimmed, and sorrow sunk in.

Graduation was a bittersweet time for me. Sorrow and joy battled for dominance in my heart. My sorrow was deep, but I was determined that joy would win. In the end, joy did win. I was able to surrender my sorrows and fears to the Lord and He turned them into intense joy. I know God has great plans in store for my future. I just need to trust in Him.

CASEY DETTWYLER

Casey Dettwyler is from the beautiful sate of Oregon. She was raised in the same small town as her parents and grandparents before her. Casey loves all things summer: sunshine, swimming, flip flops, ice cream cones, sleeping under the stars. Her favorite past time is getting lost in a good book but she also loves to write. Her best friend, hero, and king is Jesus Christ and she strives to live every day to bring Him glory. In August, she is heading down to Holy Spirit College in GA where she will study education and theology. (read more…)

“Satan laughs at our toil, mocks our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.”

We Were Made To Worship

iBe HEgat, iBe SHEgat, iBegat Trends, iBegat U, Tessa Hall

Notice the title says “We Were Made to Worship.”

Not “We Were Made To Worship God.”

We were made to worship, period. The way you live fills in the blank. Each of us was born with a desire inside of us to give something or someone praise. Unfortunately, many of us fill this desire by worshiping things other than the One who created us. John 4:23-24 explains:

“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit… that’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship… those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves…” (MSG)

It’s what you say, the way you act, and your love that reflects what’s in your heart—and your heart reflects who or what you live for.

If you’re a teenager, then you’ve probably caught yourself drooling over another teen of the opposite sex and craving to give into peer pressure. Or maybe you’ve caught yourself raising your hands at a concert or a football game.

We live for what we love.

Are there any desires in your heart you’ve subconsciously put before your Heavenly Father? If so, ask him to remove those and replace them with the desire to worship him only.

“The secret things in their hearts will be made known. So they will bow down and worship God…” (John 4:23-24 MSG)

You were made by God. You were made for God. But are you living for him?

TESSA HALL

Tessa Hall is a writing and coffee obsessed seventeen-year-old. She lives for Christ only and believes that it’s not just a religion, but a relationship. Her Young Adult, Christian fiction contemporary novel, Purple Moon, is currently under contract with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She also writes a blog called “Christ is Write” where she posts teen devotions, writing tips, book reviews, author interviews, and coffee recipes.

Tessa has always enjoyed writing and has a passion to spread God’s healing, love, and comfort to her peers through the written word. Some of her other passions include acting, film, music, photography, and dance. She has big dreams and high hopes for her future, but believes that God can grant the desires of her heart as long as she puts Him first. Her favorite scripture is Ecclesiastes 11:9 (MSG): “You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor. If something looks good to you, pursue it. But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.”
<<<more posts by Tessa…

The Sky is the Limit

iBe HEgat, iBe SHEgat, iBegat Buddies, iBegat U

Ya know, being a kid in high school and at the same time being a Christian in high school, is not easy. So what are Christian students supposed to do? Remain a Christian and pretend it’s not a serious thing? Just act natural? Or should we stick to our little youth group in church and forget the lost sinners who wander the high school hallways? They deserve what they get anyway, right?

No.

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells us to go and make disciples of all nations. Sometimes I have to wonder if we, as teenage kids, take this to heart. When Jesus said go and make disciples of all nations he really meant everybody. And, yes, that includes the geek next door and your mean math teacher. The problem with kids in high school (and most people, now that I think about it) is we’re not always sure how to approach someone who could easily look down on us.

Nobody wants to be dismissed as a silly kid.

So what can you do? Start with the Bible. Read daily. Set a schedule. Even ten minutes a day is better than none at all.

Excuse: I’m not a very good reader–I don’t like to read.

Answer: Bible on CD. A kid in my youth group downloaded the Bible on to his iPod so that he could get through Genesis. It’s out there, I promise. =)

Once you’re comfortable with talking to someone about the Bible, talk to friends. Tell them that Jesus will save even the worst sinners. You don’t have to be a theological scholar to talk to your friends. Once your friend has accepted Christ as their Savior, bring them to church. Another good place for you to start if you haven’t already.

Get with your youth group. Set something up. A canned food drive. Do a car wash and donate the money. (That’s very effective where I’m from.) Or, if you’re really ambitious, dinners are also a good thing to do for the local residents or your church. (We usually make enchiladas, but not everyone lives in New Mexico.) A problem I had for a while was not having a youth group. I eventually convinced a few of the leaders in our church to start one. We have exactly three regular members and two that come off and on. But even that’s not bad compared to absolutely nothing at all.

Did you know there are organizations in school you can join that are specifically for Christian students? (Or better yet–students who are not Christians.) The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a popular one. I’ve joined it and our group currently consists of five kids. And none of us do sports. (I know. Ha-ha.) Or if you don’t have school organizations, make one. You’re the boss! Whatever comes to mind would be a good idea. Even if it’s small.

The sky is the limit.

BLAKE MOON

Son to a farmer, 16 year old Blake lives in rural New Mexico with his parents, two sisters and a brother where they raise cattle, wheat and 4H livestock. He can drive a combine, pull a plow and milk a goat! Blake is a veracious reader: Done with homework? Read a book. Free class time? Read a book. Road trip? Read a book! When he’s not reading, Blake is a very active leader in his school and community where he is President of his 4H club, a member of FFA, BPA, FCA, Student Council, FCCLA (in which he competed at a national level) and, his favorite–journalism. (read more…)

Guarding Your Heart

iBe SHEgat, iBegat Trends, iBegat U

“… Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” (Song of Songs 2:7 NIV)

I’ve always gotten a thrill out of wearing a pretty dress. The local spring formal for home schooled high school students presented the perfect situation for doing so. While considering if I should go or not, I remembered my commitment to guard my heart and decided to explore my motivation for going. Dress aside, I realized I mainly wanted to be noticed by guys.

Don’t get me wrong–social events are not bad, and God has a plan for young people to be in community together in healthy ways. But for me, going to the dance with that beautiful dress would mean compromising what I knew about guarding my heart. Any attention I would receive at the dance may have flattered for a moment, but afterward my decision to save dating until I am old enough to consider marriage would seem so much harder. My longing for affection would be awakened.

God delights in a pure heart. Are we willing to protect ours? What steps can you take to guard yourself? Stopping to examine your motivation might be a good place to start. Ask God to guard your purity and glorify Him.

——————————————————

MARY CATHERINE LEWIS

Mary Catherine is a 16-year-old home schooled high school student living in Lexington, KY. Among other things, she enjoys playing piano and violin, watching movies, singing along with her iPod, going to Disney World, and writing. She has been writing since age 8, and has spent the past few years honing the art of fiction and is working on her first novel. God has given her the desire to teach and encourage teenagers to purity.

“Shh…I’ve Got A Secret!”

iBe SHEgat, IBegat Trouble, iBegat U

“Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21 NASB)

Before I could get settled at my desk, Jessica was pulling on my arm and demanding my full attention with the shout of her whisper.

“Shh…you’re never gonna believe what I just overheard Wanda telling Joanna, but you’ve got to promise to keep this a secret,” Jessica said as if she were the protector of a priceless jewel.

The knot in my stomach told me to walk away from the situation, but I didn’t. Instead I couldn’t stop myself from saying seven words I’d later regret.

“I promise,” I said “I won’t tell another soul.”

Secrets can be lots of fun when used for the right purpose; like birthday surprises and playing Santa at Christmas, or they can be destructive and hurtful. I chose to participate in something that would eventually tear down someone’s character even though neither Jessica or I intended harm. Words have the power to hurt, cause pain, disappoint, embarrass, and to destroy when born in dark secret places.

You know–the gossip-girl affect.

The incident between me and my friends almost destroyed our friendship. God put some distance between us so that He could teach me a few things. It was hard being away from them, but I knew I needed to be obedient if I want to be like Him.

Lessons I learned about secrets, gossip, and friendships:

Follow my gut instincts—that’s the Holy Spirit
Walk away when someone says they have a secret to share (code word for gossip)
Create an atmosphere in my life where dark secrets and gossip can’t exist-Pray, read my Bible regularly and surround myself with friends who are doing the same thing

Remember God holds me accountable for everything I say and hear

CRYSTAL Y. HATHCOCK

Crystal Y. Hathcock and her husband Tony, live in Liberty, South Carolina and have been married for thirty-two years. They have two puppies, Hankie and Calvin. Crystal is a freelance writer; a student with the Christian Writer’s Guild and writes religious articles for the area’s local newspaper. She enjoys cooking for family and friends, couponing, jewelry making and singing. (read more…)

Not a “Daddy’s Girl”

Haley Snyder, iBe SHEgat, IBegat Trouble, iBegat U

“He doesn’t care about me at all!”

That’s what I said to my best friend on the phone one tear filled night. I struggle with depression, and that struggle had become more and more apparent lately. My mother was starting to get worried, so my friend and I talked for a long time trying to figure out what was causing this recent outbreak. My friend mentioned how my dad and I had been fighting a lot lately, and as soon as she said it I realized she hit the bulls-eye.

I’m not a fighting person, so when I fight a lot I can’t handle it and it affects me very negatively. My dad and I had always bumped heads, but it had been notably worse in the past few weeks. My friend told me that I needed to go talk to my mom about it. It took a lot of convincing, but I finally agreed and sought my mother out. We had a long conversation of mainly me expressing my feeling to her. When I was done she told me to write a note to my dad telling him everything I told her. I wrote the note that night and gave it to my mom to give to my dad. When I woke up the next morning I realized that my dad was going to have to take me to school.

Well, I guess we’re going to have to talk sometime.

The whole ride to school my dad and I talked about what had happened. I realized I had been wrong not telling him how I felt before, and he realized that he needs to show me he loves me more. He is now putting out an effort to spend time with me.

I know all of you out there have fights with your parents. I challenge you to talk to them about it and work together to find a fix to the problem.

HALEY FAYE SNYDER

I’m Haley Faye Snyder. I’m 13 years old and in eighth grade. I’ve lived in the same Christian home in Kentucky since I was born. I have one little brother and two loving parents. I go to Westport Baptist church and have my whole life. (read more…)

real days: happy valentines day

iBe HEgat, iBe SHEgat, iBegat Trends, iBegat U

But God shows and clearly proves His love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5: 8

Let love for your fellow believers continue and be a fixed practice with you. Hebrews 13: 1

But if one loves God truly, he is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8: 3

For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3: 12

I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me. Proverbs 8: 17

But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us. Ephesians 2: 4

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. John 13: 34

By this shall all know that you are My disciples, if you love one another. John 13: 35

And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight. Philippians 1: 9

Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4: 8

Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? Romans 8: 35

Read the rest of this article at Real Teen Faith!